Mobile Magazine » green lite motorshttp://www.mobilemag.com Gadgets, Smartphones, Android Tablets, iPhone, iPad and all the latest tech you'd expect.Fri, 21 Nov 2014 14:04:17 +0000en-UShourly1http://wordpress.org/?v=3.9.3Green Lite Motors working on a 100MPG hybrid commuter trike with Autodeskhttp://www.mobilemag.com/2011/08/04/green-lite-motors-working-on-a-100mpg-hybrid-commuter-trike-with-autodesk/ http://www.mobilemag.com/2011/08/04/green-lite-motors-working-on-a-100mpg-hybrid-commuter-trike-with-autodesk/#commentsFri, 05 Aug 2011 03:39:05 +0000http://www.mobilemag.com/?p=120118Until we figure out how to effectively and safely use hydrogen to power all our vehicles, hybrids are going to be the popular option for those who want to be a little more environmentally friendly with their daily commutes. Green Lite Motors agrees and the clean tech company is using Autodesk Product Design Suite to envision what a proper commuter vehicle should be. It's not every day we here about what software the EV guys are using to come up with their creations, so its nice to see Autodesk teaming up with smaller guys out there to show what can be done.

Until we figure out how to effectively and safely use hydrogen to power all our vehicles, hybrids are going to be the popular option for those who want to be a little more environmentally friendly with their daily commutes. Green Lite Motors agrees and the clean tech company is using Autodesk Product Design Suite to envision what a proper commuter vehicle should be. It’s not every day we here about what software the EV guys are using to come up with their creations, so its nice to see Autodesk teaming up with smaller guys out there to show what can be done.

The concept calls for a three-wheeled hybrid vehicle. It’ll be officially classified as a motorcycle, but it’s probably closer to a Smart Car in scope. There’s seating for two, including a full roll cage, four-point harnesses, seat backs, and front airbags. The goal is to have this trike, which is powered by a hybrid gas engine and electric motor, achieve 100 miles on the gallon while still giving up to 250 miles (400 km) of range and a top speed of 85 mph (137 km/h).

That should be enough range and speed for the vast majority of commuters, including those who take the highway to get to work. The digital prototypes of the unnamed vehicle were made using Autodesk Inventor software, which is included as part of the Product Design Suite. But alas, it’s a digital prototype for now, so who knows when this green trike will see the light of day for cost- and environmentally-conscious commuters.

SAN RAFAEL, Calif.–(BUSINESS WIRE)–Green Lite Motors, a clean technology company developing new transportation alternatives for commuters, is using Autodesk Product Design Suite from Autodesk, Inc. (NASDAQ:ADSK), to more efficiently design a three-wheeled hybrid vehicle capable of traveling 100 miles on a single gallon of gas, as well as achieving highway-ready speeds of 85 miles per hour and a cruising range of 250 miles.

“From concept to manufacture, and marketing to maintenance, Autodesk software helps bring clean technology products to market sooner.” Although classified as a motorcycle, the vehicle is fully enclosed like a car, giving commuters a safer, more comfortable and environmentally friendly way to get to work. The vehicle can carry two passengers using a hybrid gas engine and electric motor, which supports long-range freeway cruising, as well as enhanced fuel efficiency in stop-and-go traffic. For safety, driver and passenger are protected by a steel roll cage, four-point safety harnesses, seat backs and front airbags. The vehicle’s comfort features also include heat, air conditioning and a sound system.

The Autodesk Clean Tech Partner Program — which provides software for emerging clean tech companies in North America, Europe and Japan — enabled Green Lite Motors to use Digital Prototyping with Autodesk Product Design Suite. Autodesk Inventor software, included in Product Design Suite, was used to create digital prototypes of the third and fourth generations of the vehicle.

Digital Prototyping Accelerates Vehicle Development

“The Autodesk Product Design Suite has helped Green Lite Motors build the machine virtually to present an exceptionally strong vision of both the mechanical and aesthetic designs of our vehicle,” says Tim Miller, president and CEO at Green Lite Motors. “In leveraging the capabilities of Digital Prototyping, within a few weeks we were able to collaborate with a shared Inventor model to create a design capable of being manufactured.”

Green Lite Motors also leverages its digital prototype from Inventor with Autodesk Showcase software, another product included in Product Design Suite, to create compelling animations and renderings to visually communicate the mechanical and aesthetic designs of its vehicle — helping the company more effectively share its vision of greener transportation with potential investors and partners.

“Green Lite Motors is developing a unique hybrid vehicle to minimize driving’s environmental impact, and Digital Prototyping is helping them do it more quickly and with less waste,” said Robert “Buzz” Kross, senior vice president, Manufacturing Industry Group at Autodesk. “From concept to manufacture, and marketing to maintenance, Autodesk software helps bring clean technology products to market sooner.”

About the Clean Tech Partner Program

The Autodesk Clean Tech Partner Program supports the efforts, innovations and environmental advancements of clean technology pioneers, providing world-class software to design, visualize and simulate their ideas through Digital Prototyping. Clean tech companies in North America, Europe and Japan are invited to apply to receive up to $150,000* worth of software for only $50. Access to a collection of Autodesk industry-leading software includes up to five licenses of Autodesk Product Design Suite Ultimate, AutoCAD Revit Architecture Suite, Autodesk Simulation Mechanical, Autodesk Inventor Publisher and Autodesk Vault Professional software. For additional information, visit www.autodesk.com/cleantech.

Autodesk, Inc., is a leader in 3D design, engineering and entertainment software. Customers across the manufacturing, architecture, building, construction, and media and entertainment industries — including the last 16 Academy Award winners for Best Visual Effects — use Autodesk software to design, visualize and simulate their ideas. Since its introduction of AutoCAD software in 1982, Autodesk continues to develop the broadest portfolio of state-of-the-art software for global markets. For additional information about Autodesk, visit www.autodesk.com.